2018 South Side Irish Parade Grand Marshal Announced

CHICAGO, IL - It may still be November, but it is never too early to start thinking March. At least here in Beverly, Mt. Greenwood and Morgan Park.

The South Side Irish Parade committee announced Wednesday that Special Olympics Chicago will serve as the Grand Marshal of the 2018 parade, which will be held on Sunday, March 11. Amyloidosis Support Groups and the Martin McGarry family will serve as the honoree.

A LOOK BACK: The 2017 South Side Irish Parade In Photos

Kevin Magnuson, president of Special Children's Charities and Special Olympics Chicago, joined Chicago's Special Olympics athletes who will compete in the 2018 Special Olympics National Games at the parade's announcement ceremony at the Morgan Park Sports Complex. Those athletes are Allison Berggren, Aiden Fallon and Justin Mayer.

“We are honored to be selected as the Grand Marshal of the South Side Irish Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and look forward to sharing the experience with many of our local athletes, their families and our supporters from the Southside and throughout Chicagoland,” Magnuson said. “2018 is going to be a huge year for our organization as we prepare to host a week of exciting events in July featuring the first-ever Special Olympics Unified Cup and a Global Day of Inclusion, where the public can join in athletic competition alongside Special Olympics athletes.”

Martin McGarry, a Beverly resident and former Golden Gloves Boxing title winner battling familial Amyloidosis who has lost several members of his family to the disease, was also at the announcement event.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the South Side Irish Parade and look forward to raising awareness of this rare disease that has taken multiple members of my family and so many others,” McGarry said.

Special Olympics athletes and McGarry family will lead the parade that kicks off at noon on Sunday, March 11, 2018.

Photo provided